The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Solar drier to the aid of tsunami-hit women

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 05, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Solar drier to the aid of tsunami-hit women

Staff Reporter

They need only 4 hours to turn out 70 kg of crisp `karuvadu'

CHENNAI: It's normally a week in the making. But now a group of women from the tsunami-ravaged Srinivasapuram will need only four hours to turn out 70 kg of crisp `karuvadu' (dried and salted fish): thanks to a solar drier.

The beauty of the process is that it is not dependant on the weather. As Gunavathy, a member of the Thangam self-help group, the first SHG in Chennai to receive a drier for processing fish, says: "Now it doesn't matter even if it rains." It is also a lot cleaner, she points out.

The drier consists of a covered cabinet with a capacity for drying 75 kg by harnessing solar energy through two photovoltaic solar panels.

The group of women consists of Thangam Papa and nine women chosen by her to manually clean and then preserve the fish using the drier after soaking it in saltwater for two hours.

According to local representative U. Manimeghalai, "we got the idea of using a solar drier from the Collectorate. The drier was installed on January 19 after identifying women who were already in the trade, and creating a self-help group."

Training for SHGs

German Leprosy & TB Relief Association-India along with Gremaltes Referral Hospital procured the drier from Planters Energy Network, who set it up at a cost of Rs. 1.85 lakh. They also trained the SHG members on how to use the drier. Tamil Nadu Energy Development Corporation (TEDA) provided a 25 per cent subsidy for the project.

"There are already two units — one in Tuticorin and other in Cuddalore — using solar driers for processing fish. We plan to install these driers in 30 places across Tamil Nadu," said TEDA chairman and managing director K. Allaudin before handing over the unit to SHG members on Thursday.

He also urged them to neatly package their produce for superstores with emphasis on `hygiene' and get a better price.

The women are ready for the challenge.

They have been provided with packing, weighing and sealing machines.

"The fish will stay for at least six months after processing. We have approached a supermarket chain but so far they haven't replied," says Ms. Manimeghalai.

The women, however, are planning to approach stores with sample packets to expand business and turn a profit.

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